Juice Quality

AIJN is committed to the promotion of safe and authentic fruit juices and nectars, complying with all relevant EU legislation and consumer expectations. It is recognised that the legislation does not cover in detail all aspects of the fruit juice processing and bottling chain and that legal provisions sometimes leave room for different interpretations.

To complement legislation where necessary and to offer guidance for the application of key legislation AIJN has developed guidelines and codes such as the AIJN Code of Practice for Evaluation of Quality and Authenticity of Fruit and Vegetable Juices, Guide to Good Hygiene Practices in the Juice Industry, Guideline for Vegetable Juices and Nectars, Guideline on Traceability of Fruit Juices, etc.

To ensure compliance with legal and industry standards the AIJN relies upon the European Quality Control System (EQCS) for fruit juices, nectars and high fruit juice containing beverages. Through its members, which are national or regional control organisations, the EQCS carries out market controls of consumer products in the EU.

To provide a uniform basis for evaluation of the quality, identity and authenticity of juices the AIJN has developed a Code of Practice which currently contains reference guidelines for 27 different fruit and vegetable juices.

AIJN’s Code of Practice is recognised by the European Commission as a model for any self-regulating industry and reference to the AIJN Code of Practice is made in the European Fruit Juice Directive.